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Photo: Hehec at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Built as a smuggler ship, it lost its engines in 1981 and was washed ashore in a magnificent small bay. Featured in Greek tourist ads, it is on the west coast and best visited by going there from Porto Vromi. Go there either early in the morning or in the afternoon (>15:00), as in the time between the big around-the-island cruise ships anchor there and the beach is heavily crowded. It's not rare to have 20 boats all moored each putting a few hundred people ashore at once. Going there in off-peak times ensures you will have the beach pretty much to your own. The beach is closed as of 2026 because of rockfall risk: landing, swimming and access to the shore are prohibited. Boat trips may still offer views of the cove from the sea, subject to the Port Authority’s current safety restrictions, For the ultimate picture, follow the signs to the Agios Gergio Kremnao monastery - when you arrive there, use the road to your right to get to a small viewing platform some 180 m above the wreck and is where most of the picture postcard shots are taken from. It can be nicer to see it from this perspective than on the beach.
Navagio Beach, or Shipwreck Beach, is an exposed cove, sometimes referred to as "Smugglers Cove", on the coast of Zakynthos, in the Ionian Islands of Greece. It is one of the most famous and photographed beaches in the world.
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A quiet historic monastery in the inland northwest, traditionally associated with Saint Dionysios. It makes a rewarding cultural stop when exploring the Navagio viewpoint, Porto Vromi or the northern villages.
A pair of sheltered pebble coves on the northwest coast, known as departure points for Navagio boat trips. Worth visiting in its own right for the water and steep cliff scenery.
Small, lesser-known northeast coves with vivid water and a more rugged feel. Better for independent explorers with a car than for a fully serviced beach day.
One of the best beaches on the island. You can get there by free shuttle services from Laganas, Kalamaki, and Argasi, but to get a ticket to get the shuttle back again you have to pay to use a sun lounger (€4). Water sports (diving, jet skis, etc.) are offered, as well as a big British-run beach bar. This is not to be confused by the Agios Nikolaos village in the north of the island which shares little in common with this one.
A handsome pebble beach on the northeast coast with clear water and a more peaceful atmosphere than the main resorts. Good for swimming and snorkelling.
A compact pebbly cove where mineral-rich water reaches the sea, giving the water its distinctive smell and feel. Come for a short, memorable swim rather than a long beach day.